Current:Home > FinanceTexas Gov. Abbott signs bill banning transgender athletes from participating on college sports teams aligned with their gender identities-InfoLens
Texas Gov. Abbott signs bill banning transgender athletes from participating on college sports teams aligned with their gender identities
View Date:2024-12-23 10:47:06
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law legislation that bans trans athletes from participating on collegiate sports teams that match their gender identities on Thursday. The new law will take effect in September.
S.B. 15 — also called the "Save Women's Sports Act" by its supporters — builds on legislation passed in the state in 2021 that banned trans women and girls in K-12 schools from participating on sports teams aligned with their gender identities. It forces athletes to compete on teams on the basis of their "biological sex," or the sex that was "correctly stated" on their birth certificate, according to the text of the legislation.
The bill includes provisions that prevent trans athletes who have had their sex changed on their birth certificates from participating on sports teams aligned with their gender identities by defining sex as what was "entered on or near the time of the student's birth," and only recognizes changes made to birth certificates that were done to correct a clerical error.
"Today is an important day for female athletes across the state of Texas, including little girls who aspire to one day compete in college sports," said Abbott in a press release. "The Save Women's Sports Act protects young women at Texas colleges and universities by prohibiting men from competing on a team or as an individual against them in college sports."
Abbott has consistently called trans women and girls "men" and "biological boys" in his messaging around the bill — the latter of which LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization GLAAD calls "a term to avoid."
"'Biological boy' is a term anti-trans activists often use to disregard and discredit transgender girls and deny them access to society as their authentic gender identity," writes GLAAD.
Advocacy organizations were quick to condemn the new law, with the ACLU of Texas tweeting that the law is "unfair, unconstitutional, and just plain cruel."
"Trans students deserve to participate in the sports they love," the ACLU of Texas added.
"Even as elected officials ignore their duty to serve Texans and instead target a vulnerable minority, create problems that do not exist, and use our taxpayer dollars to do so — transgender lives can never be erased," said Marti Bier, vice president of programs at the Texas Freedom Network. "No matter what laws are passed by the extremists currently in power, our communities will find love and support within each other."
Earlier this month, Abbott signed a law banning gender-affirming care for trans youth in Texas. That law also will go into effect on September 1.
According to Best Colleges, at least 16 other states have similar restrictions on trans athletes participating in collegiate sports, and at least 22 states have bans on K-12 trans athletes from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks legislation impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
- In:
- Sports
- Transgender
- Greg Abbott
- Texas
- LGBTQ+
C Mandler is a social media producer and trending topics writer for CBS News, focusing on American politics and LGBTQ+ issues.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
- 'Outcome-oriented thinking is really empty:' UCLA’s Cori Close has advice for youth sports
- Steelers' aggressive quarterback moves provide jolt without breaking bank
- Target limits self-checkout to 10 items or less: What shoppers need to know
- Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
- AP PHOTOS: Boston celebrates St. Patrick’s Day; Biden holds White House brunch with Irish leader
- What channel is truTV? How to watch First Four games of NCAA Tournament
- Mauricio Umansky Shares Dating Update Amid Separation From Kyle Richards
- Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
- Lamar Odom Reacts to Khloe Kardashian’s Message Honoring Brother Rob Kardashian
Ranking
- When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
- NCAA Tournament South Region predictions for group full of favorites and former champions
- Ohio State officially announces Jake Diebler as men’s basketball head coach
- UConn is the big favorite in East regional. Florida Atlantic could be best sleeper pick
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- Blake Lively appears to take aim at Princess Kate's photo editing drama: 'I've been MIA'
- Princess Diana's Brother Worries About Truth Amid Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theories
- Walmart store closures: Three more reportedly added to list of shuttered stores in 2024
Recommendation
-
Mississippi governor intent on income tax cut even if states receive less federal money
-
Wisconsin voters to decide on banning private money to help fund elections
-
N.C. State's stunning ACC men's tournament title could be worth over $5.5 million to coach
-
UConn is the big favorite in East regional. Florida Atlantic could be best sleeper pick
-
Skai Jackson announces pregnancy with first child: 'My heart is so full!'
-
March Madness men's teams most likely to end Final Four droughts, ranked by heartbreak
-
Russian polls close with Putin poised to rule for 6 more years
-
How to fill out your March Madness brackets for the best odds in NCAA Tournament